20230814 50 huts gutted in Calangute, 15 cylinders explode, 1 hurt
India Aug 14 2023 “Building” “Houses”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 30 to 69 Injured : injured 1 to 9
50 huts gutted in Calangute, 15 cylinders explode, 1 hurt
Updated: 2023-08-14
CALANGUTE: One person was injured after a massive fire that broke out in Agarwaddo, Calangute, on Sunday, destroyed around 50 huts.Pilerne fire stations officials said that they received a call at 1.25pm informing them of the fire. As it spread rapidly to neighbouring hutments, firefighters from the fire and emergency services headquarters in Panaji, along with fire tenders from Porvorim and Mapusa fire stations were also rushed to the spot.
The area where the fire broke out is a major residential hub for migrant workers, with around 200 huts and other small residences packed next to each other, and narrow pathways weaving through the rows, making it impossible for fire tenders to go inside.
Eyewitnesses said that the fire started in one of the huts at around 12.30-1pm, perhaps due to a gas cylinder exploding. The fire quickly spread to the neighbouring huts as most of them were shut with the residents out, as it was Sunday.
People in the area initially attempted to douse the fire using buckets of water and hoses. But the situation began worsening as more cylinders exploded with the spreading fire. Firefighters who arrived soon after 1.30pm later said that around 15 cylinders exploded, while they managed to remove around 25 cylinders. Residents also managed to remove their cylinders and other possessions.
Calangute panchayat member Paulo Mathias D’Souza, who represents the ward, said that the property belongs to his mother. “Around 40 huts got burnt,” he said.
The whole area wore a devastated look after the fire was brought under control by around 5pm.
Residents said that they lost most of their possessions in the blaze, including bank passbooks, ration cards, voter ID cards, Aadhar cards, clothes, electronic items, and school books. Some two-wheelers were also gutted. The overall loss is likely to be huge, said officials.
One person received minor burn injuries while attempting to douse the fire. Most of the residents have been staying in the area for a long time, officials said. While some are from Karnataka, others are from West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. The All-Goa Kannada Maha Sangh later provided food to those who suffered losses in the fire.
Web Source: The Times of India